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[CT '24] Genii Hyundai N Cycling
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 28-07-2024 16:18
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
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Genii - N Hyundai Cycling (MGUCI team code: GHN) is a professional cycling team, based in Luxembourg and Germany competing in the MGUCI Continental division for the 2024 season. The team is the MGUCI subsidiary of the IESE Group – the majority shareholder.
| MGUCI Code | GHN | | Founded | 2016 | | Registered |  Bulgaria (2016-2018) | |  Canada (2019) | |  Germany (2020-2021) | |  Luxembourg (2022–present) | | Secondary Nation | Canada (2017-2018) | | Germany (2022) | |  Austria (2021) | | Status | MGUCI Continental (2016-2019; 2021-2022; 2024) | | MGUCI ProContinental (2020; 2023) | | Bicycles | Focus (2016) | | Argon 18 (2017-2018) | |  Scott (2019-2021) | |  Giant (2022–2024) |
Main Sponsors:
Genii Capital
Hyundai Motor Europe GmbH/Hyundai N
Minor Sponsors and techical partners:
BWT AG
RTL Group
Ionos
DataMap Europe
 Helly Hansen (also, kit manufacturer)
Equipment suppliers:
Giant Bicycles (bicycle)
DTSwiss (wheels)
 Rotor (groupset)
 Northwave (bicycle shoes)
Uvex (helmets and glasses)
Edited by ivaneurope on 27-10-2024 10:42
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 28-07-2024 16:19
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
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Soon
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 28-07-2024 16:21
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
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Will be announced after renewals
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 28-07-2024 16:22
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
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Will be announced after transfers
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 28-07-2024 16:29
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
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Ivaneurope Sports and Entertainment Group, or more commonly known as IESE Group is a professional sports and entertainment company, formed in 2022 by ivaneurope to manage his various ventures in various sites and forums. Among IESE Group's properties in PCM.Daily include the following subsidiaries:
IESE Group MGUCI Team - the name of their MGUCI subsidiary (and the subject of this thread), currently operating as Genii Hyundai N Cycling
IESN (Ivaneurope Sports Network) - the production arm of IESE Group, currently specialized in primairly compiling preview analysis for some races as well as route unveilling. In 2023, IESE Group established IESN1 as its main reporting channel with views to expand to 3 channels by 2025.
IESE Group ICL Team - IESN's subsidiary in the ICL series, currently competing as Polestar Pro Cycling p/b Telenor. Both franchises were formed independently from one another until being consolidated under the IESE Group's umbrella. As of 2024 that franchise is left dormant.
IESE Group is also responsible for managing the career of Andrey Yanakiev, currently competing in the Road To Glory series.
The current operating structure of the MGUCI team is as follows:
ivaneurope - CEO of IESE Group, president of Genii Hyundai N Cycling and member of the MGUCI Workgroup
Petar Panayotov - General manager and president of cycling operations
Martin Grashev - Head of rider development and vice-president of cycling operations
 Clive Ebejer - Chief trainer and vice-president of cycling operations
 Anastasia Klymenko - President of commercial operations and PR
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 02-08-2024 16:21
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
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IESE and Argon 18 reuinite*
Spoiler * Subject to approval by MGUCI
There was some talk about what bike manufacturer the Genii Hyundai N Cycling team will be racing in 2024. The 2-year deal with Giant has expired and throughout the season there was no indication that the two sides will continue their partnership. With other manufacturers and even in-house produced bikes were considered as options, the team has decided to turn to a bike manufacturer that they worked with in the past - Argon 18.
"Today marks a reunion between IESE Group's MGUCI franchise and Argon 18" - said CEO ivaneurope, who pointed out that they've had two really productive years with the Canadian manufacturer in 2017 and especially 2018 where the team really started to score victories on the scene. Though the deal has been made, the bike frame which the team intends to use - Argon 18 SUM, is not one of the officially recognised by the MGUCI and will need to pass quality checks. Should the SUM frame fail to get past the checks, the team will discuss alternative variants with the MGUCI (including the use of an older generation Argon 18 or use frame from different manufacturer). Even if the frame used is not by Argon 18, the company's branding will be featured on the jerseys for the 2024 season, replacing the Giant branding.
Spoiler The Argon 18 SUM frame the team is set to use if approved
There are talks with other sponsors that are now in advanced phase and will be announced shortly. The deals with BWT and Ionos have expired and won't be renewed, meaning that their logos will be absent from the jersey this season. It is rumoured that Wander AG (which owns various sports drink brands such as Isostar) have been in discussions with the team for potential partnership and a possibility for naming rights ownership in 2025 (if needed), though IESE Group neither confirmed, nor denied that. Talks with the RTL Group are believed to be heading in a positive direction with the Luxembourg-based media giant stating that they're "more than happy with this partnership"
So far only Genii, Hyundai, DataMap, Argon 18 and DT Swiss have been confirmed as partners of the team so far. The team has also announced that it had acquired the rights over the jersey design frm Ezeefreak, but IESE Group had reaffirmed that he'll continue to be credited as the main jersey designer.
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 07-08-2024 12:28
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Classics Specialist
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The renewals process has been finally completed and it's time to announce how the team conducted negotiations during this period.
Pierre-Paolo Penasa
Old Wage: 230 000 €
New Wage: 200 000 €
Difference: -30 000 €
We obviously start the best rider for the team this season had in Triple P. Obviously, the negotiations would've been hard as typically a rider with high wages will have higher demands (or around the same wage). So it was kinda surprising that the team managed to keep him for a reasonable price. However it may seem impossible to retain him due to planning and depth issues that may plague the team. The team will explore all possible avenues regarding Triple P - either remaining part of the team (he'll still be reliable in C2 races) or be involved in a deal
Simone Velasco
Old Wage: 110 000 €
New Wage: 100 000 €
Difference: -10 000 €
Next is Penasa's countryman Simone Velasco. The team was in a difficult position as it had to keep either Velasco or  Bachirou Nikiema (Burkina Faso's NC) - it couldn't keep both without incurring penalties. And when negotiations with Nikiema reached a dead end, it was decided to re-sign Velasco instead. But that wasn't a huge discount with only 10k difference and even though he could be of use in some races, the most likely option would be to find him a new home.
 William Barta
Old Wage: 70 000 €
New Wage: 80 000 €
Difference: +10 000 €
After one season in Sony - Force India, Willy Barta returned to the team. While his season wasn't the best for him, he managed to make a late surge in the final race of his season - Tour of Britain, and also won the United States NC RR title to boot. So it isn't surprising that he was rewarded with a better contract as this was a rider the team didn't want to lose. The question now is will he maintain his performance from his last few races - we'll find out.
 Marko Pavlic
Old Wage: 60 000 €
New Wage: 80 000 €
Difference: +20 000 €
Marko Pavlic started really strong with a Top 5 finish in Volta a Catalunya and had his moments under the sun in other races. So it was natural to give him a new contract. But having the same wage as the much younger Barta and a leadership crunch looming, it could mean that the Slovenian could be a prominant piece in a potential deal. The possibility to be on the team in 2024 also exists.
 Louis Visser
Old Wage: 50 000 €
New Wage: 75 000 €
Difference: +25 000 €
South Africa's Louis Visser was picked up by the team after Zwift didn't renew his contract. But he didn't race in Genii Hyundai colors either - instead, he was farmed out to Evonik - ELKO to ensure he gets enough XP points to get the 4.100 XP level. Now maxxed out, the team renewed him to a 75k wage. That price seems a bit steep by many, but the team could use a rider rike him down the road. But was this a signing that is worth the price? Time will tell.
Momchil Robov
Old Wage: 75 000 €
New Wage: 75 000 €
Difference: 0 €
It is going to be Robov's 5th season with the team and many critics beleive he's only there to fill the 'Bulgarian rider quota' (since the team's inauguration, there was at least one Bulgarian on the roster), but the team disagrees. Sure, he didn't had the best season of his career, but he's still regarded as an important member of the roster. At 75k wage it may not be that cheap, but not rwally expensive either. Let's hope his loyalty bonus pays off with a stellar season in 2024.
 Tomas Paprstka
Old Wage: 70 000 €
New Wage: 65 000 €
Difference: -5 000 €
2023 was a rough year for all cobblers on the team. And Paprstka (the surprise of 2022) was no exception. Still he proved to be more than capable of fighting with much superior cobbled specialist and he got rewarded with a new contract - albeit with 5k less. At the age of 32 2024 will most likely be his final top productive year, so it will be a make-or-break year for the Czech rider.
 Dinmukhammed Ulysbaev
Old Wage: 50 000 €
New Wage: 50 000 €
Difference: 0 €
Bakhtayir Kozhatayev may no longer be on the roster, but the team had found a worthy compatriot in Ulysbaev. He was also sent to Evonik - ELKO to make sure he is maxxed out. And when his loan ended, he was one of the top priorities when it came time to renewals. And the team signed him for just 50k. DAYLIGHT ROBBERY!!! And considering the dilemma the team's facing right now with Barta, Pavlic and Triple P (all riders with similar profile to Ulysbaev), the Kazakh will be a rider the team is intending to keep at all cost.
 Jean Bosco Nsengimana
Old Wage: 50 000 €
New Wage: 50 000 €
Difference: 0 €
Rwanda's Nsengimana proved to be a very reliable and useful addition to the team after being acquired from ELCO - ABEA. And naturally, his performances have rewarded him with a new deal, though he will also approach the decline stage after this season.
 Aviv Yechezkel
Old Wage: 50 000 €
New Wage: 50 000 €
Difference: 0 €
Yechezkel from Israel was signed with the goal to solidify a cobbled core for the 2023 season alongside Paprstka and  Andrew Fenn. Well, the cobbled trio didn't do anything special considering the more superior cobbled teams in the division, but Yechezkel did well enough to earn himself a new contract. And in a lower division the expectations will be still high.
Yoan Kolev
Old Wage: 50 000 €
New Wage: 50 000 €
Difference: 0 €
Yoan Kolev spent the 2023 season learning in the PT division and he's regarded as a huge prospect for the future. Though the team has re-signed him, he will once again be farmed out to a PT team. The team has worked with multiple PT teams so it won't be an issue to find Kolev a PT home to be maxxed out.
Valentin Stoenchev
Old Wage: 60 000 €
New Wage: 50 000 €
Difference: -10 000 €
The longest tenured rider in the history, "Mr. Loyalty" as Stoenchev has now been call will be entering his 7th season with the team. He will continue being one of the team's strongest TT riders, but that presents an issue. He's the only rider with a TT stat of 75 or above and at the age of 33 he has already reached his peak. TTT races like Monterrey have been usually a happy ground for the team in the past few years, but if there is no development on the TT department, the team may have to sacrifice its ambition to win Monterrey TTT for 3 of the past 4 editions.
 Jaakko Sillankorva
Old Wage: 10 000 € (stagiaire)
New Wage: 50 000 €
Difference: N/A
Next is Sillankorva. The young Finn has been the most impressive of the three stags last season and he was made a priority signing as he could be either a cobbled specialist or a Cancellara-esque hybrid rider.
 Matias Malmberg
Old Wage: 10 000 € (stagiaire)
New Wage: 50 000 €
Difference: N/A
Malmberg was the second of the three stagiaires the team signed last transfer season and he had a relatively quiet season until he entered a breakaway group in the Post Danmark Rundt which breifly saw him in the Top 10 of GC and 2nd in the Young Riders Classification. Many were skeptical on his extension, but the team believes he has potential and will be willing to listen to offers for him.
 Willhelm Wallinder
Old Wage: 10 000 € (stagiaire)
New Wage: 50 000 €
Difference: N/A
Rounding out the roster for now is the third and final stag from 2023. Wallinder didn't had a standout race throughout the season, but the team still decided to have faith in him as a future prospect. He could develop into a decent TT rider down the line.
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 07-08-2024 15:49
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Those look like reasonable renewals (Nikiema not resigning of course peaks my interest, but the explanation also makes sense). I think with PPP, the stage racers and the puncheurs, you're already very close to a squad that can compete for immediate re-promotion. Maybe a few tweeks here and there, and of course you don't have a ton of cap space, but I'm sure you have some plans already. And then of course I'm very pleased that Nsengimana continues to find his place in the peloton!
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| redordead |
Posted on 08-08-2024 06:30
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4884
Joined: 18-10-2017
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I think I would've prefered Nikiema over Velasco, but there is not a ton between them. There is quite a bit of investment in youth with even the stags getting a full contract. If you can shift some riders out and bring in a sprinter and/or time-trialist then I could see you in the race to return to PCT 
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| Laurens147 |
Posted on 08-08-2024 12:09
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You can happy with your renewals, now on to the transfer season
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 28-11-2024 06:04
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 08-08-2024 17:19
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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cunego59 wrote:
Those look like reasonable renewals (Nikiema not resigning of course peaks my interest, but the explanation also makes sense). I think with PPP, the stage racers and the puncheurs, you're already very close to a squad that can compete for immediate re-promotion. Maybe a few tweeks here and there, and of course you don't have a ton of cap space, but I'm sure you have some plans already. And then of course I'm very pleased that Nsengimana continues to find his place in the peloton!
This could be a solid foundation for a promotion charge...if done right. Which if I'm honest didn't go to plan more often than not. The small cap space I have at my disposal will really test my transfer capabilities and now the dilemma is whether to keep PPP as part of the core, or flip him for depth pieces.
redordead wrote:
I think I would've prefered Nikiema over Velasco, but there is not a ton between them. There is quite a bit of investment in youth with even the stags getting a full contract. If you can shift some riders out and bring in a sprinter and/or time-trialist then I could see you in the race to return to PCT
Well, as mentioned in my roundup - couldn't keep both if I want to. Nikiema's salary demands were just too much to make it sustainable and without incurring penalties. And yeah, the TT department has been really decimated and with the low cap space I have to make tough choice on how to make use of it. There're still the 2 extra rider slots from the CT draft - more often than not, there could be a free decent sprinter or two, but not a TT specialist.
And yeah, after years of investing in primairly veterans (with mixed results), I've decided to invest in younger riders. Though some could be loaned out.
Well, to be honest, it could've been better. But nothing is perfect
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| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 09-08-2024 16:12
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Protected Rider
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Joined: 07-07-2013
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Your renewals set you up for an interesting transfer phase. As you said it'll heavily depend on what you do with PPP. I'll surely follow your approach with interest. Best of luck!
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| Booker |
Posted on 09-08-2024 17:04
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 876
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Looks like you'll be busy this transfer season. I like that PPP is still knocking around, and you've had an Italian dom to keep him company as I did with Mattia Pozzo back in 2017 
Interesting thoughts on squad building you've got in your post above. I've never gone through the CT free rider draft before, so good to get your experienced opinion on that. |
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 11-08-2024 18:53
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
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With renewals done, it was naturally time to introduce the availlability list for this transfer season:
Category A - Untouchable
Dinmukhammed Ulysbaev
Louis Visser
Yoan Kolev (available for PT Loan)
Valentin Stoenchev
Jaakko Sillankorva (a 1-3 loan is possible)
This group of riders is considered untouchable by the team. That doesn't mean that the team will not be listening to offers, but the outcome will be at 99,9% denied. The only exception from that group is Yoan Kolev as his XP requires to be loaned out to a PT team to be maxxed out and therefore only loan offers will be discussed. Sillankorva could technically be loaned out for 1-3 loan, but we prefer to keep him on our roster...for now
Category B - can be loaned/sold
Matias Malmberg
Willhelm Wallinder
This category is reserved the the other two prospects that were signed on a full-time deal. While the team regards them as part of their future plans, the team could be listening to both transfer and loan offers for them. The team prefers a 1-3 loan for one of the two given the possible budget and cap constraints the team might face. If the circumstances allow it, then both might be loaned out to a 1-3 level deals.
Category C - We need offers we can't refuse
William Barta
Jean Bosco Nsengimana
Aviv Yechezkel
You might be surprised why Barta is not in Category A, but in this one? Well, while the intention is to keep him, we will be willing to listen to offers for him. However, don't get your hopes high for him - we will need a 'Godfather offer' for him. The same applie for both Nsengimana and Yechezkel
Category D - the price needs to be right
Pierre-Paolo Penasa
Simone Velasco
Marko Pavlic
Momchil Robov
Tomas Paprstka
This is the final category - for these riders we are willing to listen to offers. But remember that we will only agree to a deal if the offer on the table is suiting us. The pièce de résistance is PPP -though he's starting his decline, he's still useful across all divisions. While we want to keep him since he could be a top challenger in CT, a sure transfer will hinge on whether or not we can find a younger and potentially more cap friendly GC rider.
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 12-08-2024 00:13
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Seems like you've done most of your trimming through renewals with most riders looking locked up and at most only "listening to offers" - a comfortable position to be in going into transfers! Nikiema heading into FA obviously interests me as a chance to bring him back into our fold now we have more cap room 
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 12-08-2024 01:53
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3266
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Pity Barta didn't slip all the way down to Category D. Good luck with the transfer season.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
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| liefwarrior |
Posted on 14-08-2024 23:22
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 864
Joined: 04-07-2019
PCM$: 300.00
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You've got a very solid platform to build from, if a bit focused on the mountain/hills terrain. Its a shame to see Ulysbayev is unavailable given our new focus (are you sure we can't pry him from you?) but given the position you are in pre-transfers (meeting roster requirements with cap-space to spare) it is quite understandable. With any luck you'll be promptly promoted back to the ProConti-level, just in time for a complete rebuild.
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 20-08-2024 09:25
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
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kandesbunzler26 wrote:
Your renewals set you up for an interesting transfer phase. As you said it'll heavily depend on what you do with PPP. I'll surely follow your approach with interest. Best of luck!
The question regarding PPP is whether to keep him for a promotion assualt or flip him for depth pieces. This is a tricky situation as I don't have enough cap to spare and PPP is my most expensive (wage wise) asset at my disposal.
Booker wrote:
Looks like you'll be busy this transfer season. I like that PPP is still knocking around, and you've had an Italian dom to keep him company as I did with Mattia Pozzo back in 2017
Interesting thoughts on squad building you've got in your post above. I've never gone through the CT free rider draft before, so good to get your experienced opinion on that.
TBH PPP was my most consistant rider last season. Sure, he had some stinkers here and there, but as far as performance is concerned, he contributed the most.
For the CT draft my advice is to follow closely the Free Agent market and check which riders are still availlable (e.g. don't have any active bids) by the end of the transfer season. Another thing is to have a really large list of riders - since your team will be on the top of the board in the first round, so it's practically guaranteed that you'd get one of your Top 10 riders on the list. Keep in mind that the second round will be done in reverse order and thus new teams will pick last in the line. And this is where the need for a large list comes in handy - if you send a list with say only 10-15 riders, there's a chance that all riders are taken by the time your turn comes.
jandal7 wrote:
Seems like you've done most of your trimming through renewals with most riders looking locked up and at most only "listening to offers" - a comfortable position to be in going into transfers! Nikiema heading into FA obviously interests me as a chance to bring him back into our fold now we have more cap room
Nikiema was unfortunately a casualty of the cap situation I ended up with - I wanted to keep him, but the risk to incur a renewals fine for me was not worth taking, so I had to let him go unfortunately.
Ulrich Ulriksen wrote:
Pity Barta didn't slip all the way down to Category D. Good luck with the transfer season.
As he's our USA NC RR winner I'm not really inclined to part ways with him. But if it's an offer that will really blow me away then I may start listening
liefwarrior wrote:
You've got a very solid platform to build from, if a bit focused on the mountain/hills terrain. Its a shame to see Ulysbayev is unavailable given our new focus (are you sure we can't pry him from you?) but given the position you are in pre-transfers (meeting roster requirements with cap-space to spare) it is quite understandable. With any luck you'll be promptly promoted back to the ProConti-level, just in time for a complete rebuild.
Of course, you can try to enquire about Ulysbayev's availability, but I regard him as a hot prospect for the team's GC aspirations and is one of the riders I'm not really willing to part ways with.
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 29-08-2024 13:44
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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The transfer season may not be good for the team, but at least we made a move - TT specialist Lukas Postlberger now joins the team from Polar
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 01-09-2024 15:37
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
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We are pleased to announce our new signings - weirdly all through deals
Kristian Haugaard Jensen
 Julien Bernard
Patrick Konrad
 Stavros Theorpanous (on loan from Lidl Cycling)
 Noppachai Klahan
Carlos Verona
For the first time the team has riders from Cyprus and Thailand and for the first time since Mikel Nieve way back in 2017 the team has a Spanish rider on the roster
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